Fife Trojans Game Preview: Steilacoom Sentinels

Last year during league play, the Fife Trojans (2-2 league, 6-4 overall) play dominated their opponents, coming out with only two losses. Tainting the Trojans record was their fierce rival, the Steilacoom Sentinels (1-3, 2-8). However, this year both teams have had rough starts and look to get back to their winning ways, as the SPSL 2A standings change every week. In the past three years of fierce competition, the stats tell the story about this rivalry. With many of the Sentinels top players trading their jerseys in for caps and gowns and the Trojans relatively young squad going through their own growing pains, this 14th game showdown should give even more credence to an already heated rivalry.

Trojans vs. Clover Park Warriors Review:

In front of a full house of energized fans and a full band ensemble, the Trojans gave the Warriors their notice loud and clear that winning the league title wouldn’t be a walk in park. After a whole-game back and forth battle, the Warriors broke loose in the final two minutes of the period, downing the Trojans 61-46.

Trojans Stats:

• The Trojans trail in the series 6-7 (3 years of competition).
• Trojans lead in scores 637-630 (13 games, averaging 49.5 points per game).
• Trojans lead the series in first half points 323-302.
• After four league games, the Trojans are 110-of-182 from the field, 18-of-38 from perimeter, and 37-of-59 from the free throw.
• The Trojans average 14.3 turnovers a game.
• The Trojans average 52.5 points a game, while exhibiting defensive prowess, stifling their opponents to only 48.5 points per outing.
• Leading scorers for the Trojans in league play is 6’4” junior forward Bryce Miller with 18.5 points a game and 6’3” senior point guard Jack Murrey with 13.7 points a game.
• The Trojans are currently tied for 5Th place with Eatonville (2-2, 7-3) in the SPSL 2A league.

Steilacoom Sentinels

The Sentinels come home tonight after a close contest against the Franklin Pierce Cardinals (3-1, 4-5), in which they outscored the cardinals 13-8 in the fourth period, but came up short 43-34 at the final buzzer. In that fierce match-up, the Cardinals held all of the Sentinels players under double figures scoring.

Sentinels Stats (league play):

• Sentinels lead the series in second half points, 335-314.
• The Sentinels average 43.3 points per outing, while their opponents average 55.2.
• Leading scorer for the Sentinels is junior Jacob Esseln, with 13.7 points per game.

The Trojans are playing on the road, but are still are coming in as favorites. Statistically speaking, Between the Lines, Blog Talk Sports Radio predicts that the Trojans will come out on top 52-43. If Murrey, Miller, or 6’4” senior shooting guard Kevin McCrossin have a dismal outing, the Sentinels may be able come out on top, but defense, a good shooting percentage, and successful free-throws will be necessary for either team to prevail in this heated rivalry.